WEDDING CEREMONIES WITH JESS MAY
Wedding ceremonies that celebrate you just as you are
“THERE CAN BE NO BETTER CELEBRANT OUT THERE…”
Stephanie
JESS WAS INCREDIBLE. WE COULDN’T HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER, MORE INCLUSIVE CEREMONY. IT WAS 100 % US AND WE LOVED EVERY MINUTE
A 20 minute ceremony with a registrar you’ve never met, saying words you didn’t write is fine…but a ceremony as long as you like with a Celebrant who is now a friend ..that’s SPECIAL and so are you. As a Wedding Celebrant I get to know you, your children, your Grandma and your ring bearer dog! A Registrar just won’t have time. I will be exclusively yours for your wedding ceremony, a Registrar will do up to 7 weddings a day and is unlikely to meet you ahead of your wedding ceremony.
With a Wedding Celebrant you can even say vows to your children, involve your chosen family have the family pet deliver the rings and devise your own vows.Â
You can say what you feel comfortable saying and disregard the rest. You can even get married in your family home and raise a toast to absent friends. With a Registrar you will be offered a few template ceremonies to choose from and a selection of pre-selected poems. The vows are standard and you will have to get married in daylight hours in a venue ‘licensed’ for wedding ceremonies.
Having a connection with your Celebrant and shared values is essential in building the kind of trust and relationship needed to create an amazing ceremony.
A Registrar will rarely be able to have a conversation with you before you get to the ceremony and they will have to leave your ceremony immediately in order to make it to the next one.
With a Wedding Celebrant on your side you will be standing together with a supportive friend who knows all about why you are there and why it matters so much.
People will tell you ‘it’s only a ceremony’, but when you think about it, a wedding without a ceremony is ‘only a party’.
You know it is not a trivial matter because if you didn’t you wouldn’t be here reading this! You wouldn’t be getting married at all.
You will remember your special day forever, don’t cheat yourselves and pretend that it doesn’t really matter. Ceremonies are central to human relationships and societies but more importantly they should be joyous and personal and reflect the uniqueness of you.
JESS MAY'S WEDDING CEREMONIES
QUEER AFFIRMING
Jess May’s Special Days is a SAFE SPACE. I am a Queer Affirming and a proud Queer Ally embracing and celebrating people of all genders and sexualities with joy.
YOUR CHEERLEADER
You need to be fully yourself at your wedding ceremony. I can encourage you to keep on being you by creating a ceremony that is totally you and getting to know you really well.
EMPATHIC
Wedding Ceremonies are a BIG DEAL. I understand this and can make sure that you feel supported and calm so that you can relax, be present and enjoy your wedding ceremony
Jess May's Ceremony Style
Poetic writing style
I have become known for my poetic style of writing when I create wedding ceremonies. My life experience and background gives my writing great range and versatility.
My work has often been described as ‘musical’ in quality, as well as both whimsical and profound.
I can capture the essence of a person or a relationship and give it wings.
Flair and humour
No one wants a ‘dour’, serious celebrant or a sombre ‘official’ doing legal things.
I am notorious for making people laugh by gathering together the best of your relationship stories and memories and painting a picture of your daily life and antics.
At this point in my life and career I can confidently say that I know how please a crowd.
A Gift for ‘holding space’
I have become acutely aware that as a Celebrant I spend most of my time acting as a ‘host’.
I always arrive an hour early and meet all your guests or stay over the night before and meet the family.
I gather everyone and have gathered great expertise at this through a decade of experience. I can ‘hold a space’ in a forest, in a barn or on a beach.
The freedom of Celebrant-Led Ceremonies
In a nutshell, with a Celebrant led wedding ceremony you can get married anywhere, anytime and anyhow….because the legalities of marriage are separated from the ceremonial you don’t need a licence to hold a ceremony. You can have one in your back garden under the stars if it takes your fancy!
ON THE DAY JESS WAS THERE BY OUR SIDES AS A REASSURING GUIDE AND CHEERLEADER, HELPING EASE OUR NERVES, MAKING SURE WE WERE CONFIDENT, READY AND THEREFORE ABLE TO ENJOY IT
I LOVE MY COUPLES & THRUPLES. You are special and so is your relationship and you deserve a wedding ceremony celebrates all that you are.
You have a vision for your day and my job is to bring it to life in all it’s shimmering glory.
Your story matters and so does your connection. Tell me your story! I can write it so that it sings.
Jess’s work not only creates beautiful ceremonies but also beautiful friendships.”Â
Rachel
WEDDING CEREMONIES FOR GORGEOUS YOU
A Guided Process with a Fully Accredited, Double Award-Winning Wedding Celebrant with Over a Decade of Experience, Specialising in Civil Celebrant Services
What is a wedding celebrant?
5 Great Wedding Readings
More Client Love – Wedding Celebrant
It was 100% us
“Jess was incredible. We couldn’t have asked for a better, more inclusive ceremony. It was 100% us & we loved every minute.”
– Jessica & Walyson
Intercultural Rock ‘n’ Roll Wedding Ceremony
Celebrating what makes us, us
“Thanks so much for making our small wedding so personal and entirely celebrating me and my husband and what makes us, us.”
– Christy & Stef
Interfaith Wedding Ceremony
I now feel spiritually married
“I now feel married as I spiritually married my husband last weekend with the support of Jess. She is just amazing I don’t have words to describe her, she just amazing.”
– Jasmin & Luke
Woodland Wedding Ceremony
The service was totally unique
“The service was totally unique, heartfelt and brought happy tears to everyone’s eyes… it was such a memorable day and would never have happened without Jess.”
– Paul & Leo
New. Beginnings Wedding Ceremony
She understood what we wanted
“She is so open and joyful and easy to talk to. She understood what we wanted from really early on. She suggested bringing our daughter into the vows and I can’t thank her enough for that.”
– Laura & Adam
Urban Chic Wedding ceremony
It was a no brainer
“In our minds it was a no brainer, having witnessed Jess’ work before and being in the presence of her undeniably charismatic and contagious personality…”
– Rebecca & Amy
Welsh Mountain Wedding Ceremony
WHY HAVE A WEDDING CEREMONY?
WEDDING CEREMONIES matter. Archeologists continue to find evidence in every epoch of ceremonial or ritual behaviour in humans and other animals.
In the UK most Wedding Ceremonies are no longer about becoming property or joining families or international politics. Many are now not about religion either but they remain ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HUMAN, tender, connected and surrounded by love. You will never forget how that felt!
Contact Jess
Wedding Celebrant – Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Wedding Celebrant do?
Wedding celebrants do much more than simply conduct the ceremony on the day. They begin by meeting with couples well in advance to understand their story and preferences. This allows them to help plan and personalise the ceremony, offering meaningful scripts, readings, poems, and other creative suggestions to ensure the occasion is unique and memorable.
Can a Wedding Celebrant legally marry you?
A Wedding Celebrant performs personal ceremonies for essential milestones, such as weddings, naming ceremonies, or funerals.
While they cannot legally conduct marriages, A Wedding Celebrant offers the advantages of flexibility, creativity, and a personal touch.
They bring their unique personality and experience to craft ceremonies that are deeply meaningful and tailored to your needs.
How much is a Wedding Celebrant UK?
Wedding Celebrants in the UK range between £500 -£2,500. With an average cost of £950 for an experienced Celebrant.
However, prices vary, with some celebrants charging more for their skills and experience and others with less experience charging less.
They also vary according to the type of ceremony you need, the venue, date and location.
For couples seeking a ceremony with a personal touch and unique flair, a Wedding Celebrant is an excellent choice to create a truly memorable experience.
What's the difference between a Wedding Registrar and a Wedding Celebrant?
Registrar: Their ceremony is legally binding and results in a couple being legally married.
Celebrant: They can’t currently legally marry couples in most parts of the UK. This means you are required to book into a registry office before or after your big day to tie up the legal bits.